Do you have Dog Behaviour Problems?

Is your dog suffering from separation anxiety? Does your dog have a history of biting? Is your dog anxious and nervous? or lacks the skills to navigate a through everyday life? Are walks becoming a burden due to your dog's unruly reactive behaviour? Dog behaviour problem sessions are here to help both you and your dog.

Dog aggression and behaviour problems is a complex topic that requires experience and skill to address it successfully. It is essential to understand your dog's general behaviour through their history and observation. We will help you understand your dog’s behaviour and how to help them learn new behaviour choices.

Need to train your companion the necessary social skills they require for everyday life? Or have a behaviour issue, and you need help? Dog training has changed dramatically over the past decade.

Ensure you get the best for both you and your companion by using modern science positive reward based style of dog training: a practical, and empowering relationship-focused approach that provides lasting results.

Will this suit your dog behaviour problem?

Non-aversive methods of dog training are successfully used to train any breed or age. Dog’s are very efficient with their energy. Positive reinforcement training uses this natural law of cause and effect. Using your dogs desire to achieve a goal to train the wanted behaviours. Modifying unwanted behaviour issues through understanding your dog motivation.

Using techniques that empower your dog to have self-confidence and impulse control in everyday life, you will learn to both understand and train your dog.

It’s important to choose the right dog trainer to help you.

Outdated training methods consistently cause increased behaviour issues. Always check that the person you choose has up to date qualifications and is a member of an organisation that has a robust code of ethics for them to follow, such as the Association of Pet Dog Trainers UK.

Iain is a member of the APDT UK (01248) and is also proud to be a member of the association's assessment team for new members. He dedicates much of his spare time to attending training and behaviour seminars and workshops across the UK. Therefore, keeping his knowledge and skill set up to date. This consistent studying allows Iain to pass on this knowledge to you and your companions.

Training is Fun for all those taking part whether they have two legs or four.

Live Together, Learn Together and Have Fun Together

Dog Behaviour Problems

What Causes dog behaviour problems

Dog behaviour problems can be frustrating or even dangerous depending on their level. If a dog is displaying unwanted behaviours or aggression. It can be down to multiple factors and rarely is it just one singular object or trigger. A high percentage of these cases are born out of an underlying fear response of something within the dog's environment. This anxiety or fear could be due to a lack of understanding and experience or previous bad experiences but is not limited to these. Working at your dog's pace, we will help them to understands its world from a different perspective. We will empower your dog to make alternative behaviour choices in their lives.

Management for dog behaviour problems

During the process, you also to learn to manage their environment. With the aim to minimise the unwanted behaviours being repeated and becoming habitual. These skills will promote your dogs learning without taking away their confidence. Dogs always repeat actions that have previously worked for them. It is our job to teach them alternative behaviour options using positive rewards like food, toys or life rewards to promote the new behaviours.

Avoiding rewarding the unwanted behaviour

Always important to remember what a dog sees as a reward may be entirely different to us. Often we go out to see clients who are accidentally reinforcing their dog’s behaviour problems by giving their dog attention. We as owners tend to fall into the trap where when our dogs are being quiet or making good choices we are silent and ignore them. Then when they do something like barking or jumping up at us, we give them attention. The attention to us may seem a negative if it's shouting at them or pushing them off. However, if it was attention they were seeking, then this behaviour display has been a success and likely to be repeated.

Our behaviour affects their behaviour

Often by changing our behaviour and reactions, we can quickly and effectively train our dogs a new choice in their lives. This subtle change can empower our dogs to make decisions that both fulfil their needs and ours. If we reward the behaviours, we wish the dog to repeat and take away the reward the dog gets for unwanted behaviours we are using their natural selection process. A simple mantra to remember is "Dogs always repeat behaviours that have previously worked".

Initial Session

Adjustment training for dog behaviour problems in your home.

To help you with unwanted behaviours your dog may be displaying. During the initial assessment session, we will discuss your dog's details and history. We will review your dog's general behaviour, as well as current unwanted behaviour(s) and possible reasons for these.

Finding the motivations for dog behaviour problems.

These types of behaviours have often been rewarded in the past. They have become a learned behaviour response for the dog. Dogs repeat actions that have worked for them previously. Whether it is growling at a stranger and they moved away or barking at the postmen when they come up the path, and then they leave. In the dog's eyes, these are successful behaviour choices if their goal was to gain distance.

Management and training plan

After the session, you will receive a report including a training and management plan. The program will be backed up with an email/phone support service for one month. After the initial session, you may require further follow up session1-2-1’s. These 1-2-1 sessions will help you with your specific requirement and needs. Often minor tweaks to the program can be applied via email and/or phone without the need for an extra session.

Changing behaviour takes time and effort

It is important to remember when working with behaviour issues that there is no such thing as a magic wand. If anyone says, he or she can guarantee to change a behaviour. I would suggest caution for your dog's sake and your own. Some responses in some dogs do adjust very quickly while others do not. We will take a holistic approach using a training and management process designed around you and your dog. Consistency and patience are vital elements of any behaviour modification program. I will be there to help you along the way.

Pay after the initial telephone conversation.

There will always be a telephone conversation before you pay for your initial session. This is so we can make sure that we are the best choice for your training. If not, we can recommend other trainers or behaviourists in your area. Get in touch today or book your appointment and we will contact you.

Follow Up Sessions

Dog behaviour problem follow up sessions

These sessions follow on from the dog behaviour problem Initial Session. They are designed around your needs to help you with implementing the training plan. They help to get over any issues that may arise and adjust the training plan where required.

How long will it take to change a dogs behaviour problem?

Dog behaviour adjustments and modifications are likely to be an ongoing process depending on the behaviours in question. When behaviours have been successful in the dog's eyes previously they are repeated. They can be a habitual response to a situation, and it will take consistency on our part for the training to be successful. It is essential to work at the dog's pace and not expect an overnight transformation. Therefore, management and training are crucial to success.

Setting our dogs up for success: why not to use old methods?

When we create a training plan to suit the dog they can understand and learn efficiently. Although it may take longer in the short term, there will be permanent changes. Old fashioned, outdated adverse methods, although on the outside look like they give immediate or fast results (if you’re lucky!). They force the dog to hide the behaviour, so are just suppressing the symptoms. There is a ladder of behaviours that dogs use when they are under pressure emotionally. If we punish these behaviour displays, it can mean that dog will become aggressive or even bite with far fewer warning signs in the future.

Understanding language our dogs to help with dog behaviour problems

Good knowledge of dog behaviour and body language helps us to teach new behaviour options. You will learn how to ‘read’ your dog and train new behaviours to use in everyday situations. Increasing your dog's confidence in all conditions. These are vital elements of a successful training plan to help our dogs begin to understand life in a different light.

Patience and Consistency

It is important to remember when working with behaviour problems that there is no such thing as a magic wand. If anyone says, he or she can guarantee to change a behaviour. I would suggest caution for your dog's sake and your own. Some responses in some dogs do adjust very quickly while others do not. We will take a holistic approach using a training and management process designed around you and your dog. Consistency and patience are vital elements of any behaviour modification program. I will be there to help you along the way.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What area's do you cover?

We offer training both in your home and outdoors. The area's we cover are Chichester, Emsworth, Fareham, Havant, Portsmouth, Waterlooville and their surrounding area's. We also offer online consultations. If you are outside our normal area or would like to discuss a training issue. These are an ideal and economical solution.

Do i have to book an initial session?

In short Yes.

To enable us or anyone else to attempt to change your dog's behaviour ethically. A full understanding of why your dog is choosing to display unwanted behaviour(s) must be investigated first.

We want to be sure that you are making the right choice and we will be able to help you.

When booking the Initial Behaviour session online, your payment card will not be charged for the booking.

We will call you within 48 hours and discuss with you your current issues.

The options during the call will be:

If the session is suitable for your needs, with your agreement, the payment will be processed and your booking secured.

If your issue can be covered under general training we can adjust your booking accordingly.

Lastly, we are not your best choice; we will cancel your booking for you and give recommendations possible routes for help.

The priority for us is that owners and their dogs get the best help, even if that is not ourselves.

How much does it cost?

We recommend a minimum of the Initial session plus two follow up sessions. These sessions work best when booked on a regular weekly basis. Allowing you to be supported at the early stages of changing your dog's behaviour.